In the Shadows, While the Enemy Stood Exposed!

Seeing this, Lu Feng's heart tensed, killing intent surging within him. Yet in the next instant, he returned to calm, quietly concealing the chill on his face.

When he recalled the grudge formed in the Grand Illusionary Realm, he had been wearing the Fox Mask that concealed his aura. His clothes had also been tattered and ragged, utterly different from how he looked now.

Ruo Shui, the only one who could possibly expose his identity, was no longer by his side.

Qin Tianliang could never recognize him!

He was in the shadows; the enemy stood exposed!

The initiative was in his hands.

With that thought, Lu Feng immediately suppressed his hatred. He rose with feigned courtesy, clasped his hands toward the approaching Qin Tianliang, and exchanged pleasantries. "You must be the Qin Family's Young Master? I have long heard that Young Master Qin was a man of extraordinary bearing. Seeing you today, I find the reputation fully deserved."

Lu Feng put on an ingratiating, flattering manner to lessen Qin Tianliang's wariness and regard for him.

Qin Tianliang merely nodded in response. He did not even spare Lu Feng a proper glance, his eyes fixed on Blazing Enchantress from beginning to end.

"Miss," Qin Tianliang said, giving what he believed to be a dashing bow. "I am Qin Tianliang. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Seeing Blazing Enchantress's expression darken slightly with displeasure, Qin Tianliang eagerly continued, "May I ask whom you have come to see? If you have the time, how about letting me show you around? My family's villa has rather elegant scenery."

Suppressing her displeasure, Blazing Enchantress declined, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Young Master Qin. My husband and I have already delivered our Visiting Card to Third Madam Qin. We shall wait here."

"Husband and wife?" Qin Tianliang's expression stiffened. A flash of loss and viciousness passed through his eyes as he confirmed, "You are already married?"

Blazing Enchantress glanced at Lu Feng, then nodded earnestly, her gaze incomparably resolute.

After his brief loss of composure, Qin Tianliang quickly regained his calm. His gaze shifted to Lu Feng beside her. Seeing the latter's pale, sickly, weak appearance, he sneered inwardly. With a body like that, how could he possibly satisfy such a bewitching beauty?

"May I ask what sect you trained under?" Qin Tianliang probed, already entertaining thoughts of stealing another man's woman.

In his view, a woman as seductive and alluring as Blazing Enchantress was certainly not someone an ordinary man could tame or bear.

Especially the seductive charm that radiated from Blazing Enchantress's very bones—it made Qin Tianliang utterly convinced that, with his family background and status, he would only need to employ a few methods to capture her heart and turn her into a plaything of his inner chambers.

Lu Feng smiled calmly. "I am merely an Instructor."

"Merely an Instructor?" The corners of Qin Tianliang's mouth could no longer suppress their upward curve.

Just as he was about to speak, a Maid's summons sounded from the distance.

"Two Honored Guests, Third Madam requests your presence."

Lu Feng and Blazing Enchantress both brightened at once. No longer paying Qin Tianliang any mind, they followed the Maid leading the way.

Watching the two leave, watching Blazing Enchantress's enchanting figure and high, firm hips, lust blazed within Qin Tianliang. His resolve to possess and toy with such a beauty only grew firmer.

Yet the words "Honored Guests" from the Maid's mouth inexplicably caught Qin Tianliang's attention.

He understood Qin Su's temperament very well. Calling her somewhat snobbish would not be an exaggeration. During this period, she had only associated with people of power, influence, and background. If Lu Feng were truly no more than an ordinary Instructor, she would never receive him with the courtesy due an "Honored Guest." Given their status, she would not even meet them over such a late-night visit!

For Qin Tianliang to become the Qin Family's Young Master, he naturally possessed certain methods and schemes. He was far more than merely lustful.

Sensing that something was amiss, he immediately began following them in secret.

The brothers Qin Taiheng and Qin Chaose followed closely behind. Skilled at reading expressions and observing situations, they naturally saw through Qin Tianliang's intentions.

To further curry favor and earn trust, Qin Taiheng quietly said, "Tianliang Ge, shall I find an opportunity to steal that beauty away for you?"

"No rush!" A flash of wicked desire passed through Qin Tianliang's eyes. He too wished to taste the pleasures of Blazing Enchantress's soft jade and warm fragrance, but his instincts told him it would not be so simple.

As they neared the Qin Family's rear courtyard, Qin Tianliang stopped Qin Taiheng and Qin Chaose, quietly signaling, "Wait here."

The two obeyed respectfully, though a trace of unwillingness lurked on both their faces.

The Qin Family's rules were strict. Collateral-line descendants like them were not qualified to enter the important grounds of the rear courtyard unless specially permitted.

"Chaose," Qin Taiheng said with a resolute gaze and blazing expression, "One day, your elder brother will surely gain a measure of power in the Qin Family, so that we brothers will no longer be bound by so many rules!"

Qin Chaose smiled gently and encouraged him, "I believe in you, Elder Brother. In my opinion, your abilities are far greater than Tianliang Ge's..."

"Mmph—" Qin Taiheng clapped a hand over Qin Chaose's mouth. Though he was quite pleased by those words, his face carried several degrees of sternness. "Do not speak nonsense. If others hear you, it will bring disaster upon us."

Qin Chaose hurriedly nodded and shut his mouth, looking as though he dared not even breathe.

Qin Taiheng could not help laughing when he saw this. He teased, "Chaose, what do you think of that charming woman from earlier?"

"What do I think?" Qin Chaose feigned confusion. In truth, before Qin Tianliang had even noticed Blazing Enchantress, he had already spotted the beauty. At that time, his thoughts had run wild. He had imagined every sort of position, even inserting his sister-in-law Pan Lianqing into the scenes, fantasizing about the wonderful sight of all three together.

When Qin Taiheng asked, Qin Chaose deliberately let a blush rise to his face. Putting on a bashful, shy appearance, he answered timidly, "That elder sister looked very beautiful, as beautiful as Sister-in-law."

Qin Taiheng gave a wicked smile. "You are still young, Chaose. Your judgment of women is limited to the word 'beautiful.' When you mature a little more, you will discover that the woman from earlier had far more flavor than your sister-in-law. That seductive air flowing from her bones, set off by her dignified and luxurious attire, possessed an attraction that could simply take one's life."

Qin Chaose gave a simple-minded smile. Naturally, he understood what his elder brother meant—perhaps even better than Qin Taiheng did.

As for that seductive charm, Pan Lianqing probably only possessed a trace of the qualifications to compare when she reached the peak of union and panted from the depths of her heart.

But Blazing Enchantress radiated that charm at every moment, leaving people soul-bound and unable to restrain themselves. She could effortlessly stir the purest desire lurking in the deepest parts of a man's heart.

Qin Chaose suppressed his amorous thoughts and teased, "Elder Brother likes that woman too?"

Qin Taiheng's expression changed. Somewhat guilty and uncomfortable, he covered it up. "Your elder brother already has a marriage engagement. Other than your sister-in-law, there is no room in my heart for anyone else."

Qin Family Villa, Side Hall of the rear courtyard.

Qin Su sat elegantly in the seat of honor, dressed in a luxurious yet simple wide gown. Compared to when she had been in the Eastern Origin Spirit Prison, she looked even more radiant. Both her complexion and bearing had undergone earth-shaking changes.

When they had first met, Qin Su had been sick and haggard from her injuries, appearing to be around forty years old. Later, after her hidden ailment was cured and her condition recovered, her appearance had become vastly more youthful. Now, calling the Qin Su before them only twenty-something would not be an exaggeration.

From her appearance alone, one could never tell Qin Su's true age.

Compared to a girl of eighteen or nineteen, she had less immaturity and more maturity. Compared to a woman in her twenties, she possessed more charm and wisdom.

She was like a warm, kind elder sister next door.

When Lu Feng first saw Qin Su dressed this way, he too stood stunned for quite some time before recovering.

This made Blazing Enchantress feel a pang of sourness. She secretly began comparing Qin Su with herself. Other than the unique charm of a mature married woman, Blazing Enchantress was confident she lost in no way whatsoever.

Thinking that she too would possess that charm after experiencing the affairs between man and woman, Blazing Enchantress felt much better.

A gentle smile rested on Qin Su's face as she instructed the Maid to pour tea for Lu Feng and Blazing Enchantress.

"After our parting in the Eastern Origin Spirit Prison, I never expected you to have become so remarkable, young friend."

Qin Su made no effort to hide the praise in her words. "Should I call you Instructor Lu, or the Azure Mountain Sect Master?"

Outside the door, Qin Tianliang's expression stiffened as he eavesdropped. He could not help secretly rejoicing that he had not revealed too much of his wicked intent earlier.

If Lu Feng were merely an Instructor, Qin Tianliang naturally would not care about his attitude. But if he were the Sect Leader of a sect that did not lose to a second-rate faction, then the outcome would be entirely different.

As the Qin Family's Young Master, Qin Tianliang understood his responsibilities. He absolutely could not let the Qin Family make an enemy for no reason due to his personal desires.

Openly stealing another man's woman was clearly no longer possible. Yet Qin Tianliang could not let go of Blazing Enchantress's alluring silhouette no matter what. He secretly pondered what methods he should use instead.

Lu Feng was also briefly surprised that Qin Su had identified him in a single sentence. Smiling, he replied, "I am honored that Third Madam Qin remembered me. I did not expect that, even after returning home, Third Madam Qin would still know so much about this junior's affairs."

Qin Su smiled softly. She had noticed Lu Feng's extraordinary nature back in the Eastern Origin Spirit Prison and had specifically sent family descendants to keep watch. Although Jun Man Restaurant could not uncover Lu Feng's exact information in the Eastern Origin Spirit Prison or the Azure Mountain Sword Sect, an on-site investigation could still easily reveal it.

"You have shown me kindness, so do not be so formal," Qin Su said, looking at Lu Feng with a hint of maternal warmth. "I am only ten years older than you. If you do not mind, simply call me Su Jie."

"Yes, Su Jie," Lu Feng replied somewhat awkwardly.

Blazing Enchantress, standing beside him, was somewhat unwilling to address someone from the Qin Family in such a manner. Yet for Lu Feng's sake, and for the sake of her title as Sect Leader Madam, she also casually said, "Su Jie~"

"And this is?" Qin Su was momentarily stunned. She slowly rose and approached Blazing Enchantress kindly, taking her hand as she looked toward Lu Feng. "Is she your partner? What a delicate, beautiful, captivating appearance."

Blazing Enchantress had initially felt somewhat resistant, but seeing Qin Su praise her, the resistance in her hand lessened. Then, seeing Lu Feng nod in acknowledgment that she was his partner, she immediately cast aside all her guard and let Qin Su hold her hand.

For some inexplicable reason, a sense of closeness she had never felt before welled up in her heart.

Likewise, upon seeing Blazing Enchantress, Qin Su also inexplicably sensed a long-lost closeness from her. That was why she had lost her composure and stepped forward, taking her hand with such affectionate warmth.